The Lucan mystery evokes a world long gone that was peopled by high-class rebels and mavericks who made up an appealing glitterati of yesteryear. Lucan’s circle included ...

John Aspinall Notoriously successful gambler who founded many casinos, including the Clermont Club. Reckless, eccentric and elitist, he was also an animal lover who established his own zoos. Controversially, five of his keepers have been killed by tigers and elephants. Aspinall asked to be fed to his animals after his death, but his last wish was denied after he died in 2000.

Charles Benson Racing tipster, gambler and friend to the rich and famous, including racing’s celebrated owners Robert Sangster and the Aga Khan. He died in 2002.

James Goldsmith 'A man of my means should not remain a schoolboy' observed Goldsmith on dropping out of Eton. The tycoon made billions through shrewd and sometimes audacious business deals, most notably in the takeover of Bovril in 1971. He owned five homes and a Boeing 757. In the 1990s he founded the Euro-sceptic Referendum Party. He died in 1997.

Tiny Rowland Multi-millionaire businessman who made his fortune in the goldmines of Africa and later became chief executive of the Lonrho conglomerate. An attempted takeover of Harrods led to a famously acrimonious dispute with its owner, Mohammed Al-Fayed. He died in 1998.

Bill Shand Kydd Became Lucan’s brother-in-law when he married his wife’s sister. An amateur jockey and wallpaper magnate, he was also the half-brother of Peter Shand Kydd, the step-father of Diana, Princess of Wales. Shand Kydd broke his back in a riding accident in 1995. Now tetraplegic, he fundraises for spinal research.

Taki Theodoracopulos Cash-heavy playboy and The Spectator columnist famed for his political incorrectness. He was once arrested after walking through British customs with 23 grammes of cocaine in a bag dangling from his back pocket.

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